Article of furniture



Feb. 18, 1958 H. w. MILLER 2,823,731

' ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Feb. 15, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.HERBERT M MILLER muwauu n rromvr Feb. 18, 1958 Filed Feb. 13, 1956 H. w.MILLER 2,823,731

ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Sheets-Sheet 2 27 3 ,7 9 29 i 28 a. I 31 I4 I 4 3 T5 63 60 i -5 /2 2e 5/ 50 3e 3/ 35 33 f l 7 /5 9 l 3 [7 32 a o F i 2 25 IINVENTOR. HERBERT W. MILLER ATTORNEY H. W. MILLER ARTICLE OF FURNITUREFeb. 18, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 13. 1956 INVENTOR. I HERBERT MN/LLER ATTORNEY H. W. MILLER ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Feb. 18, 1958 5Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 13, 1956 INVEN TOR. HERBERT W./7lLLE/2 Feb.18, 1958 H. W. MILLER ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Feb. 13, 1956 jicrlfl 5Sheets-Sheet 5 nvmvron HERBERT W. MILLER BY a.

IITTORNEY United States Patent 2,823,731 ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Herbert W.Miller, Campbell, Calif. Application February 13, 1956, Serial No.565,156

8 Claims. (Cl. 155-30) My invention relates generally to furniture andmore particularly to articles of furniture which are adjustable tosupport the occupant in various positions.

An object of my invention is to provide an article of furniture which ispreferably, although not necessarily constructed to provide a wheeledsupport rollable from one place to another and embodying means renderingit capable of being easily adjusted by the occupant to firmly supportsame in various positions, by the simple expedient of shifting of theweight of the occupant relative to the support, all in such manner as todispense with any and all mechanisms to effect the adjustment and lockthe article in adjusted position.

Another object of my invention is to provide an article of furniture ofthe above described character which is adjustable with but negligibleeffort on the part of the occupant to comfortably support same in aseated posture, a prone position, or any intermediate reclining positionwith such security that a change in the position of adjustment will beeffected only in response to shifting of the weight of the occupant in aforward or rearward direction according as the occupant desires toassume a more raised or lowered position, to the end that the occupantwill have full and complete control of the position of adjustment of thearticle and will be maintained with absolute assurance in any positionto which the article is adjusted so long as no appreciable amount offorward or rearward weight shifting is effected, whereby to materiallysimplify the construction of the article and enable it to bemanufactured and sold at a price considerably less than that of articlesof this general class heretofore proposed which involve more or lesscomplicated operating and locking mechanisms, when the range of bodypositions is this extensive.

A further object of my invention is to provide an article of furnitureas above set forth which is readily adaptable for use as a desirable andpresentable piece of furniture in the home either indoors or outdoors,as well as for hospital or sanitarium use; which is adaptable for use asa wheel chair, a recliner, or posture chair of an infinite number ofadjustments, or a comfortable stretcher or cot; which enables patientsto be transferred easily and safely to and from a bed; which is adaptedfor use as a stretcher on which a patient can be secured for safehandling under diflicult conditions; and which embodies a foot restclearing the floor in the seat-forming position of the article, andcaused to be engaged with the floor when stood upon in the act ofoccupying the seat, all so as to prevent the article from rolling away.

With these and other objects in view, my invention resides in thecombinations, arrangements and functional relationships of elements asset forth in the following specification and particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of article of furnitureembodying my invention, in its fully raised or seat-forming position ofadjustment, parts being broken away for the sake of clearness;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view of thearticle shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical, transverse sectional view taken on the line 33of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on the line 44 ofFigure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on the line 5--5 ofFigure 2;

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are perspective views similar to Figure 1 andrespectively showing the article of furniture in successively increasedreclined positions of ad justment;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the article of furni' ture in itsfully lowered or cot-forming position of adjustment; and

Figures 10 and 11 are diagrammatic views illustrating the positions ofFigures 7 and 9, respectively.

Referring specifically to the drawings, my invention in its presentembodiment comprises a frame F preferably composed of light-weight metaltubing mounted on a support which in the present instance is capable ofrolling movement by means of a pair of relatively large main or tractionwheels 10 and a pair of caster wheels 11 in trailing relation to thewheels 10. The wheels 10 are rotatably mounted on the ends of an axlestructure 12 which is connected at the inner sides of the wheels 10 tothe forward ends of links 13. The rear ends of the links 13 arepivotally connected by bolts 14 and nuts 15 to brack' ets 16 dependingrigidly from the lower ends of side members 17 of a generally U-shapedback rest-forming section 18 spanned by a suitable sheet fabric orcushioned material 19. The brackets 16 are rigidly connected by arearwardly curved cross member 20, while an intermediate cross member 21and top cross member 22 rigidly connect the side members 17.

The caster wheels 11 are rotatably mounted in yokes 25 swiveled at 26 onthe rear ends of leg and arm rest forming members 27 pivotally connectedintermediate their ends by pins 28 to the side members 17 adjacent tothe lower ends of the latter. A cross member 27a rigidly connects themembers 27 adjacent to the swivels 26. The forward ends of the members27 are pivotally connected by pins 29 to the upper ends of the sidemembers 30 of a leg rest section 31. A bottom cross member 32 and footrest rods 33 rigidly connect the lower ends of the side members 30 toform a foot rest portion 34, and coact with a rearwardly curvedintermediate cross member 35 to provide a rigid structure. A sheet offabric or cushioned material 36 spans the side members 30 to provide acomfortable leg rest section.

Near their upper ends the side members 30 are provided with brackets 40rigidly connected by a tie rod 41, and side members 42 are pivotallyconnected to the lower ends of the side members 17 and to the sidemembers 30 adjacent to their upper ends by means of pins 43 and 44,respectively, passing through the members 42 and through the brackets 16and 40. A sheet of fabric or cushioned material 45 coacts with themembers 42 to provide a comfortable seat section.

The brackets 40 rest upon the axle 12 to support the frame therefrom,and the portion of the brackets engaging the axle are formed to providecams which function in a manner to be later described. Links 51 arepivotally connected at their rear ends .to the brackets 16 by the bolts14, and interposed between the links 13 and 51 and the brackets 16 aredisks of friction material 52 and 53 such as brake lining.

The forward ends of the links 51 have openings receiving a rod 54spanning the brackets 40, so as to pivotally connect the links to suchbrackets. Bolts have nuts 61 7 3 and pass through openings 62 (Figure 5)in the links 13 and arcuate slots 63 in the links 51 to provide a lostmotion connection permitting a limited amount of relative pivotalmovement therebetween about the common axis of the bolts 14, yet tyingthe frame to the axle.

The operation of the invention is as follows:

It will be noted fromFigure 2 that the length of each of the links 42between the pivot pins 43 and'44 forms the common side of two scalenequadrilateral figures A and B, the former of which has its other threesides defined by the lever arms between the pivots 43, 2S, pivots 28,29, and pivots 29, 44. The other three sides of the quadrilateral figureB are defined by the lever arms between the pivots 43, 14, pivots 14,54, and pivots 54, 44. The provision of these two quadrilaterals by theabove described construction functionally relates the seat, back restand leg rest sections of the frame F to each other in a manner to enablethe frame to be maintained in a state of equilibrium and stability inany position of adjustment, by the coaction of the cams 50 and the axle12 on which the cams rest to support the weight of the forward portionof the frame.

By reference to Figures 7 and which illustrate a predeterminedintermediate position which is specifically the midway reclined positionof the frame F between its extreme raised or seat-forming position shownin Figures 1 and 2, and its extreme lowered or cot-forming positionshown in Figures 9 and 11, it will be seen that the'cams 5i rest at apoint medially of their lengths upon the axle. The weight of the frame Fis so distributed about the axle 12 so as to be substantially balancedthereon in this mid position of the frame. Any disturbance of thisbalanced condition such as by shifting of the weight of an occupant ofthe frame forwardly towards a sitting position or backwardly towards aprone position will be resisted and counteracted by the earns which willbe accordingly tilted in one direction or the other as shownrespectively in Figures 6 and 8, to thus present a steeper angle to thedirection of movement of the cams in riding across the axle, with theresult of requiring a gradually increasing force to lift the load of theframe relatively to the axle through the medium of the cams.

The extent to which the forward or rearward unbalancing of the loadrelative to the axle 12 is automatically counteracted to prevent arunning away effect, is determined by the shape of the earns 50 and thechanging relationship of the pivot 54 to the axle, 'in' conjunction withthe lever system provided by the upper and lower quadrilaterals A and Bas previously defined.

it will be noted that the vertical distance of the pivot 54 from theaxle 12 is greater in Figure 1 showing the sitting position than inFigures 7 and 10 illustrating the mid-reclined position. The extent towhich the imbalance is counteracted by imposing on the axle a load to beraised, which is in opposition to the tendency of the entire assembly toaccelerate or run away from the'balanced midreclined position of Figures7 and 10, is shown by the increasing vertical distance of the pivot- 54from the axle as adjustment of the frame is effected towards either ofits extreme positions.

The result of this increasing load to be raised as adjustment of theframe is effected in either direction from the mid-reclined position ofFigures 7 and 10 is inherent stability and assurance that the frame willremain in any assumed position without effort on the part of theoccupant. Slight friction may be imposed bythe disks 52 and 53 to aid inmaintaining the position of adjustment irrespective of such unbalancingeffects caused by more than minor movements of the arms andZor legs ofthe occupant. A I

The shifting of the caster wheels 11 rcarwardly to provide an increasedwheel basewith the attending proper support for therbody as recliningadjustment is effected, with the reverse movement of the caster wheelsfor com- 4. pactness in the sitting position, insures absolute stabilityin all positions.

The articulation of the various levers and links of predeterminedlengths composing the upper and lower quadrilaterals A and B as abovedescribed provide the correct leverages for weight balance irrespectiveof the size and weight of the occupant. The automatic regulating actionof the earns 50 on the axle 12 and the shifting of weight on the casterwheels 11, properly distribute the weight of the occupant to insureutmost comfort and yet enable the occupant, regardless of weight, toaccomplish adjustments as desired with but negligible eifort.

It is to be understood that the friction disks 52 and 53 are notnecessary to the functioning of the earns 50 in maintaining any positionof adjustment, the only friction present being between the cams and theaxle structure 12 as all other points of relative movement are pivotalconnections having negligible friction, thus enabling any change inadjustmentof "the frame to be accomplished with but little physicaleffort on the part of the occupant. it is only when supplementaryfriction or resistance is desired to counteract more extensive movementsof the arms and legs which might disturb the position of adjustment ofthe frame F that the friction disks would be utilized, otherwise theycan be rendered inoperative by loosening the nuts 15.

Furthermore, the resistance ofiered by the cams 50 to any change in theposition of adjustment of the frame F is not an arbitrary or fixedamount, but is directly proportional to the weight ofthe occupant, withthe extremely important advantage that the occupant, regardless of sizeand weight, can effect any desired adjustment of the frame with verylittle eifort. 7

It will be manifest from the foregoing description that although theinvention has been illustrated and described as a portable unit equippedwith suitable wheels to enable it to be rolled about, that the inventionis equally well adapted for use in the'home either indoors or outdoorsas a relatively fixed article of furniture by substituting for thewheels It a supporting structure ofthe general character found in wellknown articles such as loungers, recliners, or Morris chairs so as tohave the exterior appearance of attractive conventional furniture.Therefore, the specification and claims are to be broadly construed inaccordance withthe scope of this disclosure.

I claim: a

1. An article of furniture of the class described comprising: a framehaving a seat section, back and leg rest sections pivotally connected tothe seat section, and leg-forming members pivotally connected to saidback and leg rest sections above the seat section to co-act with theaforesaid sections in rendering them relatively adjustable from oneextreme position to another to support a person in a seated position,reclining positions, or a prone position; a pair of wheels having anaxle; links pivotally connecting said axle to said back rest sectionbelow said seat section; a second pair of wheels rotatably mounted onsaid leg-forming members in trailing relation to the first said pair ofwheels; and means co-acting with said back and leg rest sections tosupport said frame from said axle against uncontrolled adjustment fromany adjusted positiomyet yielding to shifting of the occupants Weightforwardly or rearwardly of theframe, so as to enable any position ofadjustment of the frame to be assumed in response to such weight,shifting and maintained without effort on the part of the occupant.

2. An article of furniture of the class described comprising: a framehaving a seat section, back and leg rest sections pivotally'connected tosaid seat section, and legforming members pivotally connected to saidback and leg rest sections above the seat section to co-act with theaforesaid sections in rendering them relatively adjustable from oneextreme position to another to support a person in a seated position,reclining positions, or a prone position; a pair of wheels having aaxle; links pivotally connecting said axle to said back rest sectionbelow said seat section; a second pair of wheels rotatably mounted onsaid leg-forming members in trailing relation to the first said pair ofwheels; and means co-acting with said back and leg rest sections tosupport the frame from said axle, and responsive to shifting of anoccupants weightforwardly or rearwardly of the frame, to adjust same;said means including cam means co-acting with said axle to counteractany tendency of the frame to selfadjust as a result of an unbalancedcondition of the f ame when adjusted in either direction from apredetermined reclined position wherein the weight of the frame and itsoccupant will be balanced about said axle, whereby the frame will bereleasably retained in any position of adjustment without effort on thepart of the occupant.

3. An article of furniture as embodied .in claim 1 including frictionbraking means co-acting with the first said means to set up sufficientlyincreased resistance to adjustment of the frame to compensate for minormovements of the arms and/or legs of the occupant.

4. An article of furniture of the class described comprising: a framehaving a seat section, back and leg rest sections pivotally connected tosaid seat section, and leg-forming members pivotally connected to saidback and leg rest sections at locations above the seat section to co-actwith the aforesaid sections in rendering them relatively adjustable fromone extreme position to another to support a person in a seatedposition, reclining positions, or a prone position; a pair of wheelshaving an axle; links pivotally connecting said axle to said back restsection below said seat section; a second pair of wheels rotatablymounted on said leg-forming members in trailing relation to the firstsaid pair of wheels; cam means carried by said leg rest section andco-acting with said axle to support the frame from the axle; and meansco-acting with said back rest section and cam means to efiect raising ofthe frame relative to the axle in response to adjustment of the frametowards either extreme position from a predetermined intermediateposition wherein the wei ht of the frame will be balanced about theaxle, whereby to counteract the tendency of the frame to self-adjustwhen unbalanced and to enable the frame to remain in any adjustedposition to which it is moved by shifting of the occupants weightforwardly or rearwardly of the frame.

5. An article of furniture of the class described comprising: a framehaving a seat section, back and leg rest sections pivotally connected tosaid seat section, and leg-forming members pivotally connected to saidback and leg rest sections at locations above the seat section to co-actwith the aforesaid sections in rendering them relatively adjustable fromone extreme position to another to support a person in a seatedposition, reclining positions, or a prone position; a pair of wheelshaving an axle; links pivotally connecting said back rest section belowthe seat section to said axle; a second pair of wheels rotatably mountedon said leg-forming members in trailing relation to the first said pairof wheels; cam

means carried by said leg rest section and co-acting with said axle tosupport the frame from the axle; and other links pivotally connected tosaid back and leg rest sections below the seat section to co-act withsaid cam means in causing raising movement of the frame relative to theaxle in response to adjustment of the frame towards either extremeposition from a predetermined intermediate position wherein the weightof the frame will be balanced about the axle, whereby the tendency ofthe frame to self-adjust when unbalanced about the axle will becounteracted to enable the frame to remain in any position to which itis adjusted by shifting of the occupants weight forwardly or rearwardlyof the frame.

6. An article of furniture as embodied in claim 5 including a lostmotion connection between the first and second said links enabling thefirst said pair of wheels to be lifted by lifting the frame when used asa stretcher.

7. An article of furniture of the class described comprising: a framehaving a seat section, a back rest section having brackets, a leg restsection having brackets, and leg-forming members; means pivotallyconnecting said back and leg rest sections to said seat section and saidmembers to said back and leg rest sections above the seat section torender said frame adjustable from one extreme position to another tosupport a person in various positions; a pair of wheels having an axlestructure on which the wheels are rotatably mounted; caster wheelscarried by said leg-forming members in trailing relation to the firstsaid wheels; links pivotally connecting said axle structure to saidbrackets of said back rest section below said seat section; cams on saidbrackets of said leg rest section and resting on said axle structure tosupport said frame therefrom; and other links pivotally connected tosaid brackets of the back and leg rest sections for co-action with saidcams in raising the frame relative to the axle structure when the frameis adjusted towards either extreme position from a predetermined intermediate position wherein the frame will be balanced about the axle, tocounteract self-adjustment of the frame when in unbalanced positions andenable the frame to remain in any position to which it is adjusted byshifting of the occup'ants weight forwardly or rearwardly of the frame.

8. An article of furniture as embodied in claim 7 including brakingmeans co-acting with said links to provide sufliciently increasedresistance to adjustment of the frame to compensate for major movementsof the arms and/ or legs of the occupant.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS178,016 McDonough May 30, 1876 2,685,325 Webster Aug. 3, 1954 FOREIGNPATENTS 9,807 Great Britain 1902 89,677 Austria Oct. 10, 1922 598,504Germany June 12, 1934

